Operating mechanism for stringed instruments.



- ITO-760,932. PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

W. W. STALLINGS.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIOATIOR FILED Novas, 1903.

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No. 760,932; PATENTED MAY 24, 1904. ,W. W. STALLINGS.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1903.

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W. W. STALLINGS. OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 18, 1903.

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No. 760,932. PATBNTBD MAY 24, 1904.

W. W. STALLINGS.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

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PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIE W. STALLINGS, OF MILBURN, NEBRASKA.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 760,932, dated May 24, 1904.

Application filed November 18, 1903. Serial No. 181,692. (No model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, i/VILLIE W. STALLINes, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milburn, in the county of Custer and State of Nebraska, have invented'new and useful Improvements in Operating Mechanism for Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to means or mechan ism for operating stringed musical instruments; and it consists, substantially, in the im provements hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide means by which stringed musical instruments, as autoharps, zithers, and the like, may be operated by movements of the feet, so as to enable the hands of the operator to be employed in the handling or manipulation of some other instrument or instruments, thereby rendering it possible for a number of instruments to be operated at one and the same time.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the character referred to which are simple in construction and organization, as well as comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which are also easily manipulated and controlled, besides comprising few parts not easily broken or liable to get out of order.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means of this kind which are thoroughly effective and reliable in use or operation and which are also light in Weight and easily transported, besides possessing the capacity for long and repeated service.

The invention also has additional objects in view, substantially as will hereinafter more fully appear when taken in connection with Fig,

operated upon simultaneously with the picking of the strings of the instrument. Fig. i is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line :20 a: of Fig. 1 and showing the presser devices for the elements through the medium of which different musical chords may be obtained from the strings of the instrument operated upon. Fig. 5 is a front elevation. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken substantially on the line y 3/ of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line .2 z of Fig. 1 and representing very clearly the picker-devices for the strings of the instrument and also showing the devices by which the strength or tone of the musical chords produced may be increased or diminished. Fig. 8 is a view in perspective representing the manner in which my improved mechanism may be partially collapsed or folded up, so as to occupy but small space in storage or transportation.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated that in the form of my improvements herein shown I employ a suitable platform or base upon which the operative elements thereof are mounted, said base being preferably constructed of sections hinged together, so as to be capable of being partially folded up to serve as a guard for protectin g some of the working parts of the mechanism when not in use or when the mechanism is being shipped or carried about. The instrument to be operated upon is placed upon said platform, and suitable means are employed for holding the same in place, said means being adjustable to instruments of different sizes or which comprise different numbers of musical bars, as will be hereinafter specifically described.

On top and at the sides of the instrument I place suitable supports for the ends of a number of strips which are disposed across the instrument and which are provided on their under surface, with felt or similar blocks disposed distances apart corresponding to the different musical chords to be produced, said blocks being held normally out of contact with the strings of the instrument, as will presently appear. I employ special devices for depressing any one of said strips at will to thereby depress certain ones of the strings of the instrument, leaving the remaining strings free or in position to be operated upon by the specially constructed and operated picker devices therefor which I also employ. in this way Various musical chords may be struck upon the instrument as an accompaniment to music produced from any one or more instruments played upon by the operator at the same time.

WVhile I have herein represented my improvements in a certain preferred embodiment, it will be understood, of course, that I am not limited to the precise details thereof in practice, since immaterial changes therein may be resorted to coming within the scope of my invention.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings by the designating characters marked thereon, 1 represents the base of my improved mechanism, which is preferably constructed of a plurality of sections 2, 3, and 4c, hinged or otherwise movably joined the one to the other, as indicated at 5 and 6, so as to enable the same to be collapsed or partially folded up, as shown in Fig. 8, or else straightened out to be placed upon the floor to enable the mechanism to be operated for the purpose already indicated. The section 4 of said platform is constructed with a shed 7 of suitable height, beneath which the wider portion of the stringed instrument 8 is slipped when the latter is properly arranged to be played upon, and located upon said section 4: is a movable block 9, between which and an opposite stationary block 10 the said instrument is held. The block 9 is guided by means of one or more pins 11, secured therein near the ends and working through suitable openings in the adjacent wall 12 of the shed, and to enable this block to be readily drawn outwardly to facilitate either the insertion or withdrawal of the instrument the same is provided on its outer side, substantially at the center of its length, with a pull or hook 13, also working through an opening therefor in said wall 13. The block 9 is acted upon in a yieldable manner by means of springs 14L, which surround both the said pins 11 and pull 13, and exert their pressure between the outer surface of the block and the inner surface of wall 12, (see Figs. 3 and 4,)and from this embodiment it will be seen that the block is self-adjusting to instruments of varying sizes or widths or gzhich comprise difierent numbers of musical ars.

The top 15 of the shed 7 is formed with an opening 16, the edge 17 of which is struck on the arc of a circle, and secured to such edge is a correspondingly'formed plate 18 of proper height, said plate being constructed with notches 19, corresponding in number to the number of musical bars of the instrument, and secured across the top 15 of shed 7 at the side thereof nearest the operator is a, strip 20, from, which projects a pin 21, extending through a slot 22, formed in a foot-pedal 23, near one side edge thereof, said pedal being provided on the under side near its opposite edge with a rocker 24, resting upon and working across the said strip 20, as shown. This pedal is provided with an arched metal or other strap 25, beneath whichthe toe portion of one foot of the operator is placed, said strip being adjustable to feet of different sizes by means of a set-screw 26. I employ presser devices in connection with said pedal 23 for effecting at will the depression of any desired one of a plurality of strips 27,which are disposed transversely of the strings 27 of the instrument beneath the opening 16 in the top 15 of the shed 7, said strips being located proper distances apart and supported at the ends thereof by means of springs 28, seated within boxes or frames 29 therefor, which may be suitably fastened in position on top of the instrument at the opposite side edges of the latter. The under surface of said strips 27 are provided with blocks 30, of felt or similar material, disposed at varying distances apart, so that as different strips are depressed different sets of strings will be correspondingly depressed, thus enabling the remaining strings to be properly acted upon by the picker devices (presently 9 described) in the production of different musical chords from the instrument. The strips 27 are normally maintained at a height suflicient to keep the blocks 30 out of contact with the strings, and it is evident that whenever said strips are depressed they will be again elevated by the springs 28 on removal of pressure therefrom. The said presser device for said strips consists, substantially, of a rod 31, secured to one side edge of the pedal 23 and which is bent downwardly at 32, thence forwardly at 33 to form a member for taking into the notches 19 of plate 18, as hereinafter explained, the said rod being then again bent downwardly at 3t and preferably provided, with a button or disk 35 for engaging similar buttons or disks 36, preferably secured in proper places on the upper surfaces of the presser-strips 27. (See Fig. 1.)

From the construction thus far described it will be seen that with one foot (the left) the operator may first manipulate the pedal 23 to elevate the member 33 of the presser device from any one of notches 19 of plate 18 in which it may be seated and then by giving to said pedal a sidewise-swinging movement (on pin 21) in one direction or the other said member 33 may be carried before any of the other notches, whereupon by throwing the upper or forward end of the pedal downwardly the corresponding one of the strips 27 will be operated upon or depressed, as will be apparent.

Constructed alongside the shed 7 is a casing; 37, within which is provided a vertically-movable frame 38, working in openings and llO 38" therefor in the end walls of the casing, said frame being formed in one member thereof with guides 38 for the ends of a pin 39, carried at the inner end of a reciprocatable p icker-rod 40, said pin constituting a pivot for the pick 41, which passes across the strings of the instrument, and said rod having hinged or otherwise movably connected to the forward or outer end thereof at 42 the enlarged outer end of a rod 43, (working in the opening 38 of the casing,) the inner end of which is in movable connection with the curved bend of substantially a U-shaped yoke 44, the members 45 and 46 of which extend upwardly and have swinging bearing in the sides of said casing at 47. The said yoke member 46 is formed or provided with a crank 48, which is in movable connection with the upper end of a rising and falling swinging link 49, the lower end of which is in similar connection with an end of a rod 50, which is secured to when the same is properly worked the yoke 44 will be given a swinging motion, thereby imparting to the picker-rod 40 a reciprocating motion and causing the pick 41 to pluck such of the strings of the instrument as may not be depressed, it being understood that the presser devices hereinbefore referred to are always operated in advance of each operation of the picker devices, thus to depress such of the strings as will enable the sounding of the desired musical chord. The said link 49 works in a guide 55 therefor secured to the outer side of the casing, and it may be stated at this point that in order to secure the mechanism in the folded position thereof-(indicat'ed in Fig. 8) a spring-catch 56 is preferably employed, the same being secured to one side of said casing with its free end entering a notch or recess 57, formed in the under side of section 3 of platform 1, as shown. A pivoted button 58 may also be employed as an additional security, if so desired.

In order to vary the strength or tone of the musical chords produced by the picker devices in passing across the strings of the instrument, suitable means may be employed, consisting in the present instance of hand-screws 59 and 60, supported in suitable perforated plates 61 therefor secured to the end walls of the casing, said screws being enlarged at their lower ends, as shown, and having rotatable engagement with projecting parts of the vertically-movable frame 38, and it will be seen that both the said frame and picker devices will be raised or lowered, according to the direction in which said screws may be turned. In this way the tone and volume of sound produced upon the instrument may be regulated to a nieety, as is apparent. To give yieldability to the frame in the adjustment thereof, as well as in the operation of the mechanism, I preferably provide each of the screws referred to with a spring 62, exerting their tension between said plates 61 and the adjacent surface portions of said frame, and, if desired, I may employ a catch 63 to engage with a notch in the upper edge of rod 43 to preventoperation of the devices or for assisting to maintain the picker devices well within the casing, so as not to become broken or dislocated during shipment of the mechanism or when the latter is carriedabout from place to place. The head of the pick 41 works in a recess 64 in the end of rod 40 and in the operative movement thereof across the strings of the instrument is held rigidly against a shoulder 65, the same, however, being capable of yielding on the return movement of rod 40, (due to the size of recess 64,) so as to exert no effect upon the strings during such movement.

The pins 66 (shown in Figs. 2 and 3) are for the attachment to an edge portion of the platform of the upper end of the inclined board 67, which is recessed at 68 and provided with a plate 69, having openings for receiving pins 70 on the rocker 54 of pedal 51. By this means said pedal is retained in position in a manner to be freely worked in the manner and for the purpose intended.

The forward end wall of the casing is preferably provided at the outer side thereof with spring 72, the spring 71, which is securely attached to the upper member ofthe frame 38, being bent downward in advance of said frame for engagement by the outer enlarged end of the rod 43 to act as a buffer for said rod during the reciprocating movement of the latter, and the spring 7 2 tends to hold the picker-rod 40 up in place irrespective of wear on said rod. These springs also serve to cushion the parts with which they cooperate.

It is thought the construction and operation of my improved mechanism will be fully understood from the foregoing description,taken in connection with the accompanying illustrations; but it may be added that I also sometimes suspend an ordinary triangle from the outer side of casing 37, which may be operated at any desired interval by suddenly depressing the upper end of pedal 51 for its full extent,

so as to effect a sounding of such instrument.

Thus (see more particularly Figs. 1, 3, and 6) supported on the outer side of casing 37 by one or more staples 73 is a bent rod or support 74 for a triangle 75, the upper end of said rod having a suitable suspensory 76 for said triangle, by which the latter may be readily attached and removed when desired, said rod being capable of being turned in its supports for the purpose of carrying the triangle out of operative position when the use of the same may not be needed. When the instrument is in use, however, the rod 74. is held against turning outwardly by means of engagement with the upper part thereof of the hooked end 77 of a screw-bolt 78, passing through the side walls of the casing and tightened in place by a nut 79. Different sizes of triangles may be used, as may be desired, and to cause the same to be struck or operated upon I employ a metallic hammer 80, secured at one end to the casing at 81, the free end thereof being bent at 82 to enter the space inclosed by the sides of this instrument, said hammer being held normally in position for operation by means of a spring 83, also secured to the outer side of said casing. The attached end of the hammer is also bent at 84, and whenever it is desired to operate the triangle the main portion or upper end of treadle 51 is suddenly forced downwardly to its full extent, which action causes the rod 50 to come into contact with said bend at with such force as to carry the free end of the hammer against the instrument, thereby effecting a sounding of the latter, as is apparent.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for an instrument, of strips disposed transversely of and normally above the strings of the instrument and provided on their under surfaces with blocks arranged at distances apart corresponding with those strings of an octave which are between the strings which produce the required chords, a rocking and laterallyswinging foot-pedal, means carried on said pedal for depressing any one of said strips at will, to thereby depress certain ones of the strings, and devices for picking the remaining strings.

2. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of strips disposed transversely of and normally above the strings of the instrument, and provided on their under surfaces with blocks disposed distances apart corresponding with those strings of an octave which are between the strings which produce the required chords, a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal, means carried by said pedal for depressing any one of said strips at will, to thereby depress certain ones of the strings, devices for picking the remaining strings, and means for elevating the strips on removal of pressure therefrom.

3. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of strips arranged transversely of and normally above the strings of the instrument, and provided on their under surfaces with blocks disposed distances apart corresponding with those strings of an octave which are between the strings which produce the required chords, a rocking and laterallyswinging foot-pedal, means carried by said pedal for depressing any one of said strips at will, to thereby depress certain ones of the strings, devices for picking the remaining strings, and a foot-pedal for operating said devices.

a. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of strips arranged transversely of and normally above the strings of the instrument, and provided on their under surfaces with blocks disposed distances apart corresponding with those strings of an octave which are between the strings which produce the required chords, a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal, means carried by said pedal for depressing any one of said strips at will, to thereby depress certain ones of the strings, devices for picking the remaining strings, and means for adjusting said devices for regulating the tone of the musical chords.

5. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of strips arranged transversely of and normally above the strings of the instrument, and provided on their under surfaces with blocks disposed distances apart corresponding with those strings of an octave which are between the strings which produce the required chords, a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal for depressing any one of said strips at will, to thereby depress certain ones of the strings, devices for picking the remaining strings, and means for adjusting said devices for regulating the tone of the chords, said last-named means comprising a verticallymovable frame and operating-screws therefor.

6. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of strips arranged transversely of and normally above the strings of the instrument, and provided on their under surfaces with blocks disposed distances apart corresponding with those strings of an octave which are between the strings which produce the required chords, a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal for depressing any one of said strips at will, to thereby depress certain ones of the strings, devices for picking the remaining strings, and means for adjusting said devices for regulating the tone of the chords, said last-named means comprisinga verticallymovable frame, and adjusting-screws therefor, said frame being provided with guides for the picking devices.

7. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of devices for depressing any particular set of the strings of the instrument at will, picking devices for the remaining strings, comprising a swinging yoke, a foot-pedal, and operative connections between the two, a reend in movable connection with said yoke.

8. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of devices for depressing any particular set of the strings of the instrument at will, picking devices for the remaining strings, comprising a swinging yoke, a foot-pedal, and operative connections between the two, areciprocating rod carrying at one end a pick, another rod hinged at the other end of said first-named rod, and having its remaining end in movable connection with said yoke, and

means for adjusting said picking devices to vary the volume or tone of the musical chords produced.

9. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of means for depressing-certain ones of the strings of the instrument at will, picking devices for the strings, a foot-pedal for working the picking devices, a suspended triangle,a hammer for striking upon the same, and means for actuating said hammer from said pedal.

10. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of means for depressing certain ones of the strings of the instrument at will, comprising a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal, and an angularly-bent rod secured thereto, and picking devices for the remaining strings.

11. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of means for depressing certain ones of the strings of the instrument, at will, comprising a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal, and an angularly-bent rod secured thereto, and picking devices for the remaining strings, said devices being constituted in part of a rocking foot-pedal, a swinging yoke, and movable connections between the two.

12. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of means for depressing certain ones of the strings of the instrument, at will, comprising a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal, an angularly bent rod secured thereto, a curved plate having notches for receiving a member of said rod on depressing the pedal, and picking devices for the remaining strings.

13. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination with a support for the instrument, of means mounted thereon for depressing certain ones of the strings of the instrument, at will, picking devices for the remaining strings, also mounted on the support, and a casing therefor, said support being constructed of foldable sections, and means for securing one of said sections to the casing when all the sections are folded up.

14:. In means for operating stringed instruments, the combination of a support for the instrument provided with a shed, the latter having an opening in its top, a casing adjoining the shed, means .for depressing certain ones of the strings of the instrument, at will,

comprising presser devices mounted on the shed, and working through said opening, a rocking and laterally-swinging foot-pedal for operating said devices, picker devices working through the end walls of said casing, and a foot-pedal and operative connections for said picker devices.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIE 'VV. STALLINGS. Witnesses:

, AETNA B. Pn'r'ris,

Mrs. JOHN BARTON. 

